Budget woes could force closure of horse rescue organization
MAPLE VALLEY, Wash. -- Workers at a local animal rescue group are doing everything they can to keep the facility up and running, and some fear closure might mean more horses will be slaughtered.
Serenity Equine Rescue is at maximum capacity and cannot accept any more horses. And because hay is so expensive, workers don't know what the future holds for the horses that so desperately need help.
"It's crunch time," said volunteer Brenda Lane. "We are literally funding this place day to day."
The price of hay has taken a huge bite out of the organization's budget, and it's the one thing they can't do without.
"Hay prices have never been higher," Lane said.
The organization known for rescuing horses is now the one in need.
"When you hear about those huge seizures or a hoarding situation or a neglect situation with 30 horses, there's no where for King County to take those horses. They go to rescues, they go to us," Lane said.
But Serenity is out of room and their budget is running low. Most of their hay comes from eastern Washington, which was hit hard by fires last summer.
"Thousands and thousands and thousands of acres (burned), so everyone is suffering," Lane said.
Lane said Serenity can no longer afford the $150 a day it costs to feed the horses.
"All the volunteers that come here are reaching into their own pockets, and none of us are wealthy people," she said.
Volunteers say too much of their time is spent figuring out where the money for the horses' next meal is going to come from. The organization applies to grants when they're available, but it's never a sure thing.
Now Lane says there is a real possibility that the organization will be forced to close down.
"We worry about the horses," she said. "They are number one. They are why we're here."
Serenity Equine Rescue is at maximum capacity and cannot accept any more horses. And because hay is so expensive, workers don't know what the future holds for the horses that so desperately need help.
"It's crunch time," said volunteer Brenda Lane. "We are literally funding this place day to day."
The price of hay has taken a huge bite out of the organization's budget, and it's the one thing they can't do without.
"Hay prices have never been higher," Lane said.
The organization known for rescuing horses is now the one in need.
"When you hear about those huge seizures or a hoarding situation or a neglect situation with 30 horses, there's no where for King County to take those horses. They go to rescues, they go to us," Lane said.
But Serenity is out of room and their budget is running low. Most of their hay comes from eastern Washington, which was hit hard by fires last summer.
"Thousands and thousands and thousands of acres (burned), so everyone is suffering," Lane said.
Lane said Serenity can no longer afford the $150 a day it costs to feed the horses.
"All the volunteers that come here are reaching into their own pockets, and none of us are wealthy people," she said.
Volunteers say too much of their time is spent figuring out where the money for the horses' next meal is going to come from. The organization applies to grants when they're available, but it's never a sure thing.
Now Lane says there is a real possibility that the organization will be forced to close down.
"We worry about the horses," she said. "They are number one. They are why we're here."
Keep hope alive! My wife and I had 70 bails of Alfalfa, 10 bags of grain, salt licks, apples, and carrots delivered today! 70 more bails coming Monday! We could use help finding a good inexpensive supplier for future Alfalfa purchases though.
@def That is (expletive deleted) Awesome!Â
I went directly to Serenity's website (http://www.serenityequinerescue.com/donate) and made a donation through PayPal. I hope they are able to overcome their financial troubles and keep caring for horses in need.
@tats76Â Thank you.
cats, dogs, any creatures we select to help, is all up to what we can or can not afford.. I cant afford to help, I have less than $400 a month income, yet my lease is $1,800 plus all utilities, everyone has died, but I will still send the place some cash to help. my RV is a lost dream for retirement, so I ask you, whats your reason to ignore a few dollars?
hit up PETA. They see to have oodles of money to run ads on TV.
IGive is an easy to help if you shop online and it won't cost you a dime.  The list of stores that participate in IGive is quite large.  Amazon, REI, Sears, Bed Bath & Beyond, Cabela's, Harbor Freight Tools, Kay Jewelers should  give you an idea of the variety of stores that will give to Serenity if you used IGive and designated Serenity Equine Rescue as your charity.  They are only a few of the 1277 store that support IGive.
http://www.igive.com/SerenityEquineRescue
Please!
Personally, I'm happy this story was presented. Horses are living creatures on this Earth. They deserve the same respect as the meth heads and welfare mommas that we all support in one way or another. Wait...that didn't come across the way I intended. These horses deserve way more respect.
We have homeless and destitute and can't afford to fix our roads or provide security for our schools and we're worried about HORSES?
*slams head against desk*Â
@TJM Some of us have enough caring and love in our hearts to worry for ALL who are suffering, even animals
When we domesticate an animal, we become responsible for their welfare. Just as I support my fellow human beings, I support caring for animals who have been abused or abandoned and need help as well. Animals are not fads or pieces of property; they are living, feeling creatures who deserve to be treated with kindness and respect.
@tats76Â @TJMÂ Humans first. Â Then animals.
Humans. Â First.
@TJM Then we disagree.
These are a great bunch of people and horses, everyone does everything they can give these horses a good life. Thank you Komo for running this story, hopefully Serenity can pull through this with the help of those who may have seen this.
@chenoite Hope the can start a fundraiser or see if they can get celebrities to either donate or endorse them with commercials to help out.
@CSB_22 The good thing is the TV station got the story. komo is an especially good station that seems to get the viewers to help.
@chenoite that is a really good start, hope more will try to help out. :)
conservatives don't care about a bunch of horses! Heck... read some of their comments below
@TruthinAdverts You seem to be a one trick pony...
@Grumpa @TruthinAdverts I applaud the equestrian humor! Mr Ed would be proud! No worries brother... I'm just horsin' around
@TruthinAdverts groan.
Embedded bureaucratic systems and political pet programs must be protected while actual services get cut. It's a control thing.
When I lived in WA, I volunteered with Serenity for four years. I also fostered a couple of horses and adopted my horse through them - they do everything they can to make a difference and they deserve help. WA doesn't have enough horse rescue facilities and increasing numbers of horses are ending up in the feedlot - please help keep WA from losing yet another rescue!
@urbancritter I started volunteering at Serenity last fall.  Wonderful horses and people.  I so wish I could donate more.  Going to keep doing what little I can and keep my fingers crossed.
OMG no air traffic control, no head start,no horse recue. How about no foreign aid.
@Sven Svensen Â
Trick question, how much of the federal budget goes to foreign age in percentage format?
Trick question two, if we end all foreign aid, then who do you think will buy off those countries to be their, ehem, "allies."
China would loooooooooooooooooooooooooove it if we cut off all foreign aid. By the way, how is your conversational Mandarin?
Don't worry. McDonalds already has a good use for these horses.
@Blindman  really? is this sarcasm? hope so!